Keto Chicken Spinach Tomato Skillet Easy Weeknight Meal

Name: Keto Chicken Spinach Tomato Skillet
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 25 min
Ingredients: 2 medium chicken breasts, diced into bite-sized pieces; 2 cups fresh spinach, roughly chopped; 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved; 3 cloves garlic, minced; 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning blend; 0.5 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional for heat); 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil; 0.5 cup heavy cream; to taste Salt and freshly cracked pepper; for garnish Grated Parmesan cheese

by Chloe on February 19, 2025

Are you searching for an easy weeknight meal that’s both tasty and healthy? Look no further! My Keto Chicken Spinach Tomato Skillet is the perfect dish for busy nights. It’s packed with flavor, simple to make, and fits a keto diet perfectly. In this post, I’ll share a list of ingredients, step-by-step instructions, and helpful tips to make cooking a breeze. Let’s get started on a delicious dinner!

$- 2 medium chicken breasts, diced into bite-sized pieces - 2 cups fresh spinach, roughly chopped - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved - 3 cloves garlic, minced - 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning blend - 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional for heat) - 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil - 1/2 cup heavy cream - Salt and freshly cracked pepper to taste - Grated Parmesan cheese for garnish You will need: - A large skillet - A cutting board - A sharp knife - A spatula or wooden spoon - Measuring spoons - A serving dish This recipe serves 2 people. Here’s the nutritional breakdown per serving: - Calories: 550 - Protein: 40g - Fat: 39g - Carbohydrates: 8g - Fiber: 2g - Net Carbs: 6g This dish is great for anyone on a keto diet. The high protein and healthy fats keep you full. Plus, the low carbs fit perfectly into your meal plan. Enjoy the mix of flavors while staying on track! {{ingredient_image_2}} 1. Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. 2. Add diced chicken. Season with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. 3. Sauté chicken for 6-8 minutes until golden brown and cooked through. 4. Remove chicken from the skillet and set aside on a plate. 5. Add the last tablespoon of olive oil to the same skillet. 6. Toss in minced garlic and optional red pepper flakes. 7. Sauté for 1 minute until garlic is fragrant. 8. Add halved cherry tomatoes and cook for 2-3 minutes. 9. Add chopped spinach and stir until it wilts, about 1-2 minutes. 10. Reduce heat to low and pour in heavy cream. Stir well. 11. Bring the cream to a gentle simmer. 12. Return cooked chicken to the skillet. Stir to combine. 13. Simmer for an additional 2-3 minutes to meld flavors. 14. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. 15. Remove from heat and serve immediately. 16. Garnish with freshly grated Parmesan cheese. - Prep time: 10 minutes - Total cooking time: 25 minutes - This recipe serves 2 people. Enjoy it as a main dish on a weeknight! To make this dish stand out, use fresh ingredients. Fresh spinach and ripe tomatoes bring great flavor. Cut the chicken into small pieces for even cooking. Make sure the skillet is hot before adding the chicken. This helps it brown nicely. Sauté the chicken until it's golden and no longer pink inside. Remove it from the skillet to keep it juicy. For extra flavor, use fresh garlic. It gives a nice kick to the dish. Adding red pepper flakes adds heat, but it's optional. You can also try fresh herbs like basil or parsley. They brighten the meal. Drizzling a bit of lemon juice before serving can enhance the taste. Finally, generous Parmesan cheese on top adds richness. Avoid crowding the skillet with chicken. This can cause steaming instead of browning. If you skip the resting time for chicken, it may dry out. Don’t overcook the spinach; it should just wilt. Lastly, taste your dish before serving to adjust salt and pepper. This ensures the best flavor. Pro Tips Perfectly Cooked Chicken: Ensure your chicken is cooked through by using a meat thermometer; it should read 165°F (75°C) in the thickest part. Fresh Spinach: Use fresh spinach for better flavor and texture; wilted or frozen spinach can make the dish watery. Customize the Heat: Adjust the amount of red pepper flakes based on your heat preference; start with a pinch and add more if you like it spicy. Serving Suggestions: Pair this dish with a side salad or cauliflower rice for a complete keto meal. {{image_4}} If you want to lower the carbs, swap heavy cream for unsweetened coconut milk. This change still gives a creamy texture while keeping it keto-friendly. You can also use cauliflower rice instead of traditional rice. It’s a great way to soak up the sauce. Feel free to add more veggies for extra flavor. Bell peppers, zucchini, or mushrooms work well here. You might like to include some cooked bacon for an extra crunch. Just sauté it before adding the chicken. This recipe is very flexible! For dairy-free options, use a non-dairy cream. Almond or cashew cream can replace heavy cream. If you're avoiding chicken, try shrimp or tofu. They absorb flavors well and provide a different protein source. Just make sure to adjust cooking times as needed. After enjoying your Keto Chicken Spinach Tomato Skillet, let it cool to room temp. Place leftovers in an airtight container. Store in the fridge for up to three days. Make sure to keep it sealed to keep flavors fresh. To reheat, use a skillet over medium heat. Add a splash of water or broth to keep it moist. Heat until warm, stirring often. You can also microwave it for 1-2 minutes. Make sure to check that it’s hot all the way through. If you want to freeze, place the cooled dish in a freezer-safe container. It can last up to three months. When ready to eat, thaw it in the fridge overnight. Reheat as mentioned above. Avoid refreezing after it has been thawed. A keto diet is low in carbs and high in fats. It helps your body enter a state called ketosis. In ketosis, your body burns fat for energy. This can lead to weight loss and more energy. You eat foods like meats, fish, eggs, nuts, and healthy fats. You avoid grains, sugar, and most fruits. It’s simple but needs careful planning. Yes, you can use frozen spinach or tomatoes. They are convenient and still healthy. Frozen spinach can be added directly to the skillet. Just make sure to drain excess water before cooking. Frozen tomatoes work well, too. They may change the texture, but the taste stays great. To make this dish dairy-free, swap heavy cream for coconut milk. Coconut milk gives a creamy texture without dairy. You can also use almond milk, but it may not be as creamy. Skip the Parmesan cheese or use a dairy-free cheese instead. This keeps the dish tasty and suitable for dairy-free diets. You can serve this dish with a fresh salad. A simple green salad with olive oil works well. You can also pair it with cauliflower rice. Cauliflower rice is low in carbs and adds a nice texture. For a heartier option, serve it with zucchini noodles. They soak up the sauce and make a filling meal. In this post, we explored making a Keto Chicken Spinach Tomato Skillet. We covered essential ingredients, cooking tools, and detailed steps. I shared time guides and serving sizes, along with key tips for success. Variations allow flexibility for diets, and proper storage helps keep leftovers fresh. Remember, cooking is a fun journey. Enjoy experimenting with flavors and adaptations to make this dish your own!$

Why I Love This Recipe

Deliciously Creamy: This dish combines the richness of heavy cream with the freshness of spinach and tomatoes, creating a comforting and indulgent meal.
Quick and Easy: With a total cooking time of just 25 minutes, this recipe is perfect for busy weeknight dinners without sacrificing flavor.
Keto-Friendly: Made with low-carb ingredients, this skillet meal fits perfectly into a ketogenic diet, allowing you to enjoy a satisfying meal while staying on track.
One-Pan Wonder: Cooking everything in one skillet not only makes preparation easy, but also means minimal cleanup afterward, making it a win-win!

Ingredients

List of Ingredients

– 2 medium chicken breasts, diced into bite-sized pieces

– 2 cups fresh spinach, roughly chopped

– 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved

– 3 cloves garlic, minced

– 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning blend

– 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional for heat)

– 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

– 1/2 cup heavy cream

– Salt and freshly cracked pepper to taste

– Grated Parmesan cheese for garnish

Equipment Needed

You will need:

– A large skillet

– A cutting board

– A sharp knife

– A spatula or wooden spoon

– Measuring spoons

– A serving dish

Nutritional Information

This recipe serves 2 people. Here’s the nutritional breakdown per serving:

– Calories: 550

– Protein: 40g

– Fat: 39g

– Carbohydrates: 8g

– Fiber: 2g

– Net Carbs: 6g

This dish is great for anyone on a keto diet. The high protein and healthy fats keep you full. Plus, the low carbs fit perfectly into your meal plan. Enjoy the mix of flavors while staying on track!

Step-by-Step Instructions

Detailed Cooking Instructions

1. Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.

2. Add diced chicken. Season with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning.

3. Sauté chicken for 6-8 minutes until golden brown and cooked through.

4. Remove chicken from the skillet and set aside on a plate.

5. Add the last tablespoon of olive oil to the same skillet.

6. Toss in minced garlic and optional red pepper flakes.

7. Sauté for 1 minute until garlic is fragrant.

8. Add halved cherry tomatoes and cook for 2-3 minutes.

9. Add chopped spinach and stir until it wilts, about 1-2 minutes.

10. Reduce heat to low and pour in heavy cream. Stir well.

11. Bring the cream to a gentle simmer.

12. Return cooked chicken to the skillet. Stir to combine.

13. Simmer for an additional 2-3 minutes to meld flavors.

14. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.

15. Remove from heat and serve immediately.

16. Garnish with freshly grated Parmesan cheese.

Time Guide (Prep and Total Cooking Time)

– Prep time: 10 minutes

– Total cooking time: 25 minutes

Serving Size Information

– This recipe serves 2 people. Enjoy it as a main dish on a weeknight!

Tips & Tricks

Best Cooking Practices

To make this dish stand out, use fresh ingredients. Fresh spinach and ripe tomatoes bring great flavor. Cut the chicken into small pieces for even cooking. Make sure the skillet is hot before adding the chicken. This helps it brown nicely. Sauté the chicken until it’s golden and no longer pink inside. Remove it from the skillet to keep it juicy.

Flavor Enhancements

For extra flavor, use fresh garlic. It gives a nice kick to the dish. Adding red pepper flakes adds heat, but it’s optional. You can also try fresh herbs like basil or parsley. They brighten the meal. Drizzling a bit of lemon juice before serving can enhance the taste. Finally, generous Parmesan cheese on top adds richness.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Avoid crowding the skillet with chicken. This can cause steaming instead of browning. If you skip the resting time for chicken, it may dry out. Don’t overcook the spinach; it should just wilt. Lastly, taste your dish before serving to adjust salt and pepper. This ensures the best flavor.

Pro Tips

Perfectly Cooked Chicken: Ensure your chicken is cooked through by using a meat thermometer; it should read 165°F (75°C) in the thickest part.
Fresh Spinach: Use fresh spinach for better flavor and texture; wilted or frozen spinach can make the dish watery.
Customize the Heat: Adjust the amount of red pepper flakes based on your heat preference; start with a pinch and add more if you like it spicy.
Serving Suggestions: Pair this dish with a side salad or cauliflower rice for a complete keto meal.

Variations

Low-Carb Substitutes

If you want to lower the carbs, swap heavy cream for unsweetened coconut milk. This change still gives a creamy texture while keeping it keto-friendly. You can also use cauliflower rice instead of traditional rice. It’s a great way to soak up the sauce.

Add-Ins and Mix-Ins

Feel free to add more veggies for extra flavor. Bell peppers, zucchini, or mushrooms work well here. You might like to include some cooked bacon for an extra crunch. Just sauté it before adding the chicken. This recipe is very flexible!

Alternatives for Dietary Restrictions

For dairy-free options, use a non-dairy cream. Almond or cashew cream can replace heavy cream. If you’re avoiding chicken, try shrimp or tofu. They absorb flavors well and provide a different protein source. Just make sure to adjust cooking times as needed.

Storage Info

How to Store Leftovers

After enjoying your Keto Chicken Spinach Tomato Skillet, let it cool to room temp. Place leftovers in an airtight container. Store in the fridge for up to three days. Make sure to keep it sealed to keep flavors fresh.

Reheating Instructions

To reheat, use a skillet over medium heat. Add a splash of water or broth to keep it moist. Heat until warm, stirring often. You can also microwave it for 1-2 minutes. Make sure to check that it’s hot all the way through.

Freezing Guidelines

If you want to freeze, place the cooled dish in a freezer-safe container. It can last up to three months. When ready to eat, thaw it in the fridge overnight. Reheat as mentioned above. Avoid refreezing after it has been thawed.

FAQs

What is a Keto Diet?

A keto diet is low in carbs and high in fats. It helps your body enter a state called ketosis. In ketosis, your body burns fat for energy. This can lead to weight loss and more energy. You eat foods like meats, fish, eggs, nuts, and healthy fats. You avoid grains, sugar, and most fruits. It’s simple but needs careful planning.

Can I use frozen spinach or tomatoes?

Yes, you can use frozen spinach or tomatoes. They are convenient and still healthy. Frozen spinach can be added directly to the skillet. Just make sure to drain excess water before cooking. Frozen tomatoes work well, too. They may change the texture, but the taste stays great.

How can I make this dish dairy-free?

To make this dish dairy-free, swap heavy cream for coconut milk. Coconut milk gives a creamy texture without dairy. You can also use almond milk, but it may not be as creamy. Skip the Parmesan cheese or use a dairy-free cheese instead. This keeps the dish tasty and suitable for dairy-free diets.

What to serve with Keto Chicken Spinach Tomato Skillet?

You can serve this dish with a fresh salad. A simple green salad with olive oil works well. You can also pair it with cauliflower rice. Cauliflower rice is low in carbs and adds a nice texture. For a heartier option, serve it with zucchini noodles. They soak up the sauce and make a filling meal.

In this post, we explored making a Keto Chicken Spinach Tomato Skillet. We covered essential ingredients, cooking tools, and detailed steps. I shared time guides and serving sizes, along with key tips for success. Variations allow flexibility for diets, and proper storage helps keep leftovers fresh.

Remember, cooking is a fun journey. Enjoy experimenting with flavors and adaptations to make this dish your ow

Keto Chicken Spinach Tomato Skillet

A delicious and healthy skillet dish featuring chicken, spinach, and tomatoes, perfect for a keto diet.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 15

Total Time 25

Course Main Course

Cuisine Keto

Servings 2

Calories 450 kcal

Ingredients

2 medium chicken breasts, diced into bite-sized pieces
2 cups fresh spinach, roughly chopped
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning blend
0.5 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional for heat)
3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
0.5 cup heavy cream
to taste Salt and freshly cracked pepper
for garnish Grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions

Begin by heating 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. When the oil is shimmering, add the diced chicken breasts. Season the chicken generously with salt, freshly cracked pepper, and the Italian seasoning. Sauté the chicken for approximately 6-8 minutes, or until it is golden brown and fully cooked. Once done, remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside on a plate.
In the same skillet, add the remaining tablespoon of olive oil. Toss in the minced garlic along with the optional red pepper flakes. Sauté for around 1 minute, stirring constantly, until the garlic becomes fragrant but does not burn.
Next, introduce the halved cherry tomatoes to the skillet. Cook them for about 2-3 minutes, allowing them to soften and start releasing their juices.
Now add the chopped spinach to the skillet, stirring well until the spinach wilts down, which should take about 1-2 minutes.
Reduce the heat to low and carefully pour the heavy cream into the skillet, stirring it into the mixture until everything is well combined. Bring the cream to a gentle simmer.
Return the cooked chicken to the skillet. Stir everything together and let the mixture simmer for an additional 2-3 minutes, allowing all the flavors to meld beautifully. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper if necessary.
Remove the skillet from heat and serve immediately. Garnish each serving generously with freshly grated Parmesan cheese for the perfect finishing touch.

Notes

Serve in shallow pasta bowls and garnish with fresh basil for an elegant touch.

Keyword chicken, keto, skillet, spinach, tomato